Surgery is typically performed after the injured knee regains full range of motion and proper muscle control, generally 3 to 4 weeks following the injury. During ACL surgery, the torn ligament is replaced (reconstructed) with a graft because the ligament is so damaged that a simple repair is usually not sucessful. Common grafts used to replace the torn ligament include the hamstring tendons, bone-patellar tendon-bone, quadriceps tendon or allografts from cadavers. The goals of the surgery are to reconstruct the torn ligament, repair any other damaged structures (including meniscus, other ligaments, or cartilage) and restore function and stability to the knee.
Indications for Surgery
- Athletes with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear who regularly perform sports that require pivoting, cutting, and jumping and landing
- Patients with recurrent giving way or knee instability, despite an adequate rehabilitation program
- Patients with an ACL tear and a repairable meniscus or articular cartilage tear
- Patients with an ACL tear combined with other ligament injuries in the same knee
- Young patients who are physically active regardless of whether they have open growth plates
- Patients with failed previous ACL reconstructions
Surgery is typically performed after the injured knee regains full range of motion and proper muscle control, generally three to four weeks following the injury. During ACL surgery, the torn ligament is replaced (reconstructed) with a graft because the ligament is so damaged that a simple repair is usually not possible. Common grafts used to replace the torn ligament include the hamstring tendons, bone-patellar tendon-bone, quadriceps tendon or allografts from cadavers. The goals of the surgery are to reconstruct the torn ligament, repair any other damaged structures (including meniscus, other ligaments, or cartilage) and restore function and stability to the knee.